April 28, 2008
Albuquerque Journal
Fresh & Clean: Smith a Raven
By Greg Archuleta, Journal Staff WriterMarcus Smith was in hot water until the Baltimore Ravens called, giving his football career a clean slate.
The Ravens selected the former University of New Mexico standout wide receiver Sunday in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.
Other former Lobos, wide receiver Travis Brown and offensive guard Devin Clark, signed free-agent contracts— Brown with Seattle and Clark with Washington.
Smith's name didn't come out fast enough, either, on Sunday, and his patience had run thin a couple of hours into the day-two session. He decided to take a break from watching the draft unfold on television.
"I was in the shower! I was in the shower!" Smith said by phone from Atlanta when new Baltimore coach John Harbaugh called to tell him the Ravens were going to take him with the 106th pick overall. "I got tired of waiting, so I got in the shower!"
Fortunately, Smith's uncle was manning the phone, and the San Diego native will pack for the East Coast to play alongside his idol, Ray Lewis.
"I watched him play every game my freshman and sophomore seasons," Smith said. "I'm happy and relieved. I can't even put it into words. When they called, I couldn't even talk to them. I just listened to them tell me what I needed to do. It's unbelievable. It's unbelievable."
Nor could Smith talk to the one person with whom he wanted to share this moment more than anyone— his mother.
Sheila Smith died of a brain aneurysm on Sept. 16, one day after Smith had an 11-reception, 164-yard effort in UNM's 29-27 win at Arizona.
"It sucks," Smith said, choking up. "I wish I could be here with her, cry with her and be happy with her and have tears of joy with her. I know she's happy, I know she's smiling down on me and things like that, but I just to give her a hug and let her know that all the hard work, all the things that we wanted to do, I finally got there."
Smith he was surprised the Ravens were the ones on the line.
"They never called me to ask for my number before the draft or anything like that," he said. "I definitely didn't think I was going to end up there. But I'm not complaining. I'd love to play out there."
Smith's agent Kevin Omell said he thought the Ravens would give Smith a three-year deal that would include a signing bonus of about $375,000.
Smith will report to Ravens rookie camp a week from Thursday, where he will become re-acquainted with new Baltimore quarterback and first-round draft choice Joe Flacco of Delaware.
"I played with Joe Flacco in the Senior Bowl," Smith said of the January collegiate all-star game. "I have a little bit of a relationship with him coming into the team. We're going to have a little repertoire going on."
"I'm just happy. I can finally stop waiting to know where I'm going to be, who most of my teammates are going to be. I've got an opportunity.
Brown, who earned All-Mountain West Conference honors along with Smith last season, also was happy just for a chance with an NFL team, though he did note disappointment in not getting drafted.
"Just watching the draft and the thought of seeing some guys go I thought I was better than," he said. "But that doesn't matter. I've got my chance."
Brown, who leaves for rookie camp Thursday, said he received several free-agent offers, but a Lobo connection was the key in his agreement with the Seahawks.
John Peterson, Seattle's southwest area scout, told Brown of the organization's interest. Peterson is current Lobo quarterback Blair Peterson's father.
"They don't have very many wide receivers," Brown said. "Deion Branch is coming off an injury, and I'm confident in my abilities to earn a position on the team."
Brown's deal is for two years.
Clark, too, sounded more hopeful than hurt with his free agent status— he signed a three-year deal with the Redskins.
"I'm just happy it's over with," Clark said. "I know it's going to be a battle. But I think it's the best fit for me."